The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey: Homophobic backlash is ‘bizarre’
The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey has hit back at a homophobic backlash over gay storylines in the popular video game TV adaptation, saying such representation is “extremely important”.
The 19-year-old English actress told Sky News she found some people’s opposition to gay love stories in the show “bizarre”, adding: “The climate emergency and stuff, there are so many more important things to be worried about than two people in love kissing on a screen.”
Pic: HBO/Sky Atlantic
The post-apocalyptic show is set in 2023, twenty years after a mass fungal pandemic has wiped-out most of the population.
It’s earned widespread critical acclaim, achieving HBO’s second-most watched series premiere in more than a decade in the US (second only to Game Of Thrones spin off House Of The Dragon) and proving a hit for Sky Atlantic, with the first episode reaching over three million viewers here in the UK.
The show follows Ellie, played by Ramsey, and Joel, played by Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal, as they travel through a ravaged United States, battling zombie-like creatures and violent vigilante groups.
‘Just because of the apocalypse doesn’t mean gay people don’t exist’
The drama has remained faithful to depictions of gay relationships which originated in the 2013 video game, and developed some further including in episode three, titled Long, Long Time, which featured a love story between two characters.
That episode in particular drew criticism from a small but vocal minority of fans who rejected the focus on the show’s LGBTQ+ characters.
Responding to the reaction, Ramsey said: “Why wouldn’t there be gay storylines in a show like this? I’m so glad that HBO are doing it, and I know it was something that Craig [Mazin – the show’s co-creator] was really passionate about.
“It’s in the game, like the Ellie and Riley stories in the game and Bill and Frank is hinted at in the game. I think it’s really cool. Just because of the apocalypse doesn’t mean that gay people don’t exist.”
Mazin’s co-creator, Neil Druckmann, who also developed the video game, previously told The Hollywood Reporter that Bill and Frank’s relationship “went over a lot of people’s heads” in the game.
“At the time, [the subtlety is] what helped get it in,” he said. “It’s sad to say, but it would have been controversial otherwise.”
Pic: HBO/Sky Atlantic
Read more:
The Last Of Us: The science behind the real ‘zombie’ fungus
‘It’s about equal opportunities’
As in the game, the TV show also goes on to explore Ellie’s sexuality, with the character developing same-sex relationships.
Ramsey, who has previously spoken about her dislike of being gendered, and doesn’t mind which pronouns people use when talking to her, says it’s all about diversity of representation when it comes to actors taking on LGBTQ+ roles.
She explained: “I think it’s important that queer people are given opportunities to play queer roles, of course. But I also don’t think there’s any issue either with, like, straight people playing queer roles or cisgender roles.
“I personally don’t have a problem with it whatsoever. I just think as long as people are given equal opportunities… I think that’s the most important thing. And not being persecuted when it comes to roles.”
Episode seven of the show, titled Left Behind, introduces Ellie’s best friend Riley, played by Storm Reid.
Pic. HBO/Sky Atlantic
Reid, 19, who had her breakout role in Oscar-winning film 12 Years A Slave, told Sky News: “We all see the comments and whether they’re good or they’re bad or the sentiments are warm or not. At the end of the day, we know what we’re doing, and we know what the purpose is.”
She went on: “People love each other, and love is love. So, if you can’t accept that, then I don’t know where you’re going to be able to find space of comfortability anywhere in the world, because people are people and are living in their truth. And I think that’s beautiful.”
Looking ahead to season two
In the face of any criticism, and unlike most video game adaptations that came before it, the show is proving a storming success.
With a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has already been renewed for a second season.
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With the scripts currently being developed, the show is expected to remain true to the second iteration of the game, The Last Of Us Part II, and to continue to explore Ellie’s sexuality as well as introducing a transgender teenager named Lev.
Just as Ramsey is able to ignore any negative reaction to the show, she’s equally good at turning a blind eye to its success, admitting: “I sort of forget when we’re filming that it’s going to be on the screen and people are going to watch it, never mind that it will go really well, and millions of people will watch it.”
Destined to become a household name thanks to this series, she adds: “I think if I was aware of that, I would I’d be scared every day.”
The Last Of Us airs in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW every Monday.
Entertainment
BAFTA Games Awards: Astro Bot tops leaderboard – with psychological horror close behind
Astro Bot was the big winner at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards, taking home five prizes, including the coveted best game.
The 3D platformer, which was launched to critical acclaim in September to mark PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, was nominated for eight gongs, while Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, led with 11 nods.
But in the end, the critics – some of whom had dubbed Astro Bot a “perfect game” – were right as it dominated the awards at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, hosted by comedian Phil Wang for the second year running.
Astro Bot. Pic: Team Asobi
Nicolas Doucet with his five awards for Astro Bot. Pic: PA
BAFTAs for audio achievement, game design, animation, and best family game completed the set for developers Team Asobi, who designed multiple galaxies and dozens of levels for the titular Astro to journey through, retrieving spaceship parts and rescuing lost robots.
“We’re a team based in Japan, but we have over 12 nationalities. We really mix it up and get ideas from everyone,” Nicolas Doucet, president of Team Asobi, told Sky News.
“We do a lot of jokes in the game, but the joke has a different meaning depending on where you are in the world. So it’s really, really nice to go around and ask everyone ‘is that joke fine in your country?’ And then together we come to a kind of universal playfulness.”
Among the gongs for Astro Bot was the best game award. Pic: BAFTA
It’s a very different atmosphere than that generated by British psychological horror Still Wakes The Deep, which won three awards for best new intellectual property and best supporting and leading roles.
Compared to John Carpenter’s 1980 sci-fi horror The Thing but on a Scottish oil rig, the game sees players take on the role of an electrician trapped on a damaged facility while being pursued by monsters.
Still Wakes The Deep. Pic: Sumo Digital Limited
Developer The Chinese Room has been praised for using home-grown talent to voice the characters, including comedian and actress Karen Dunbar, who picked up best performer in a supporting role for voicing Finlay.
“I’ve been nominated for quite a few BAFTAs in my time in Scotland, and I’ve never won one,” said Dunbar.
“It was such a great category, so many great performances. When they shouted my name, I think I started clapping for someone else!”
Read more: See full list of winners
Still Wakes The Deep star Karen Dunbar won best performer in a supporting role. Pic: BAFTA
Meanwhile, best multiplayer game went to Helldivers II – a satirical, sci-fi shooter that sees players fight bugs, aliens and robots with the gumption and gullibility of the characters in Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers.
It has gained a cult following since launching in February 2024 with so much initial interest it created server problems.
“Games for me are about connecting people and forging those bonds of friendship and the multiplayer award is exactly what it stands for,” said Johan Pilestedt, chief executive of Arrowhead Game Studios.
Helldivers II. Pic: Arrowhead/Sony
From outer space to a fictional Yorkshire town called Barnsworth. Thank Goodness You’re Here! – a cartoonish, comedy platformer – won Best British Game. Like Still Wakes The Deep, it has won praise for the authenticity of its actors and setting.
“I think it’s been a real privilege to be able to represent Barnsley on the silver screen,” said Will Todd, who is from the town and one of two game designers behind the project.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! Pic: Coal Supper/Panic Inc
Co-creator James Carbutt added: “Me and Will wrote everything in our tone of voice, quite literally. The further along development we got, the more we lent into it. I think the voices from different parts of the UK and different voices in gaming are super important, and hopefully we’re one of them.”
By the time the BAFTAs wrapped up, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was only handed one of the 11 BAFTAs it was nominated for, technical achievement.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Pic: Ninja Theory
But developers Ninja Theory are already adding this year’s win to a tally of five BAFTAs they were awarded for the first game in the series, which created a protagonist with psychosis by drawing on clinical neuroscience and the experiences of people living with the condition.
Blondie drummer Clem Burke has died at the age of 70
The band said Blurke had been diagnosed with cancer, and described his death as a “profound loss”.
He featured on all the Debbie Harry-fronted group’s studio albums since joining a year after their formation in 1975.
Blurke was with the band from their self-titled debut, through their 1978 classic Parallel Lines, to 2017’s Pollinator.
Drummer Burke.
Pic: Reuters
In a statement on Blondie’s Instagram, Harry and the band’s guitarist, Chris Stein, said: “It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer.
“Clem was not just a drummer, he was the heartbeat of Blondie.
“His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.
“Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie, a self-proclaimed ‘rock and roll survivalist’, he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists.”
Burke in his performance at Festival Estereo Picnic 2023.
Pic: AP
Burke featured on Iggy Pop’s 1982 album Zombie Birdhouse and also performed with Bob Dylan, The Ramones, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Joan Jett.
The statement went on to say Burke had left an “indelible mark on every project he was part of”.
It added: “We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched.”
Burke, who performed on classic tracks such as Call Me, Heart Of Glass and One Way Or Another, made his final live appearance with Blondie last year.
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Blondie performing during Glastonbury Festival in 2023.
Pic: Invision/AP
Among those paying tribute to him was Kinks guitarist Dave Davies, who said: “I feel saddened that Clem Burke was taken from us so soon.
“May he rest in peace, spectacular drumming, we were friends.”
Nancy Sinatra said: “My heart is shattered. Clem became an icon as a member of Blondie, but he was also an important part of my band, the K.A.B. I was blessed to call him my friend.
“If I ever needed him, he was there. Always. Sending healing prayers and comfort to his widow, Ellen, his family, and all who loved him.”
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